Is Having Kids in 2025 an Act of Reckless Hope or Stubborn Optimism?

2025-06-25 18:00:23.46

In March 2025, amidst political turmoil and environmental crises, a conversation with a fellow parent sparks a reflection on the complexities of raising children in a troubled world. The author, having lived and reported on parenting across five continents, observes that parenthood in the West, especially for progressives, is uniquely challenging. The decision to have children can feel reckless, but it can also be a powerful act of hope, deeply connecting parents to the future and making abstract issues like climate change and inequality profoundly personal. The article contrasts the progressive view of parenthood with the pronatalist right's emphasis on traditional family values and civic duty, exemplified by figures like JD Vance and Elon Musk. The author argues that by neglecting the family values agenda, progressives have ceded ground to a rigid, exclusionary vision of parenthood. Parenting, however, can fuel progressive activism, sharpening empathy and fostering a sense of collective responsibility. Research shows that caregiving rewires the brain, enhancing empathy and social understanding. The author uses personal anecdotes and examples from around the world to illustrate how parenting transforms political engagement, turning abstract policy into urgent personal matters. The article highlights successful progressive family policies in countries like Sweden, Singapore, and France, emphasizing the need for universal childcare, paid leave, and affordable healthcare. Despite the challenges, the author concludes that raising children can be a powerful act of resistance, fostering a generation capable of rebuilding a better future. The article concludes with a call for progressives to reclaim family as a public good, fighting for policies that support families and reject the notion that progressives are anti-family.